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Research
Achieving universal electrification of rural healthcare facilities in sub-Saharan Africa with decentralized renewable energy technologiesA potential response to the COVID-19 pandemic in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) with long-term benefits is to provide electricity for medical equipment in rural health centers and communities. This study identifies a large gap in the electrification of healthcare facilities in SSA, and it shows that decentralized photovoltaic systems can offer a clean, reliable, quick, and cost-effective solution.
Research
Can positive mindsets be protective against stress and isolation experienced during the covid-19 pandemic? A mixed methods approach to understanding emotional health and wellbeing needs of perinatal womenThe aim of this study was to explore the relationship between emotional health and wellbeing and support needs of perinatal women during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to understand their experiences and need for support. This is a potentially vulnerable group and a critical developmental phase for women and infants.
News & Events
Community advocate jumps on board with new COVID-19 advisory groupLike many of us, consumer and community advocate Catherine Hughes is worried about the impact of COVID-19. So she joined Australia’s first COVID-19 consumer reference group to be a voice for the community.
News & Events
Rapidly assembled advisory group to offer community take on COVID-19 researchThe speed with which research projects on the coronavirus have been put together has consumer advocates concerned that a vital voice will be missing – that of the community.
Research
Widening the lens for pandemic preparedness: children must be seen and heardThe Australian and New Zealand Paediatric Infectious Diseases (ANZPID) Group of the Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases (ASID) calls for urgent consideration of the needs and voices of children in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in planning for future pandemics.
Research
The inhibitory and inactivating effects of visible light on SARS-CoV-2: A narrative updatePrior to the coronavirus disease-19 pandemic, the germicidal effects of visible light were well known. This review provides an overview of new findings that suggest there are direct inactivating effects of visible light - particularly blue wavelengths on exposed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virions, and inhibitory effects on viral replication in infected cells. These findings complement emerging evidence that there may be clinical benefits of orally administered blue light for limiting the severity of COVID-19.
Research
Superior immunogenicity of mRNA over adenoviral vectored COVID-19 vaccines reflects B cell dynamics independent of anti-vector immunity: Implications for future pandemic vaccinesBoth vector and mRNA vaccines were an important part of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and may be required in future outbreaks and pandemics. The aim of this study was to validate whether immunogenicity differs for adenoviral vectored (AdV) versus mRNA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2, and to investigate how anti-vector immunity and B cell dynamics modulate immunogenicity.
Research
Respiratory syncytial virus in children: epidemiology and clinical impact post-COVID-19Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) remains a leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. RSV seasonality was disrupted by COVID-19-associated nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs). We review RSV seasonality, molecular epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and community awareness to inform future prevention strategies.
Research
Early treatment with fluvoxamine, bromhexine, cyproheptadine, and niclosamide to prevent clinical deterioration in patients with symptomatic COVID-19: a randomized clinical trialRepurposed drugs with host-directed antiviral and immunomodulatory properties have shown promise in the treatment of COVID-19, but few trials have studied combinations of these agents. The aim of this trial was to assess the effectiveness of affordable, widely available, repurposed drugs used in combination for treatment of COVID-19, which may be particularly relevant to low-resource countries.
Research
A Deep Learning-Based System for the Assessment of Dental Caries Using Colour Dental PhotographsDental caries remains the most common chronic disease in childhood, affecting almost half of all children globally. Dental care and examination of children living in remote and rural areas is an ongoing challenge that has been compounded by COVID.